Any parent of twins, or who has two toddlers close in age, knows the value of having a good double stroller. But for new parents, the number of choices available can be confusing. Choosing the right stroller for your needs can make all the difference.
Most standard double strollers these days are so well designed, they all do the job fairly well. They are, for the most part, suprisingly lightweight and easy to steer. With features such as swiveling wheels and pneumatic tires, strollers have become much easier to turn and provide a smoother ride. With other features such as cup holders and ample storage areas, double strollers are now more convenient than ever. They are quite versatile, and appropriate for most parents who need one "do-it-all"stroller.
One of the fundamental choices with double strollers is side-by-side seating or tandem, where the children sit one in front of the other. Tandem strollers are longer but narrow, making them easier to navigate through doorways or narrow store aisles. The negative here is the twins fighting over who sits where. If one child is taller, he/she can sit in the rear seat of a tandem stroller and see everything pretty easily. A side-by-side stroller fixes that problem, but the extra width can make it difficult to maneuver in cramped spaces.
Double strollers are also available as an umbrella stroller. They are very lightweight and fold up compactly, so they don't take up much trunk or floor space. I highly recommend them for short trips or running errands. They do not typically have any storage space, so plan to carry a bag for baby gear. My personal opinion is its worth investing in a good quality brand if you choose an umbrella stroller, like Peg Perego. The cheaper models are not very sturdy.
The double jogging stroller is great for young parents into maintaining their excercise routine and staying in shape. They are great for jogging, hiking, or long walks. They give the children a comfortable ride, but are primarily designed for traveling in a straight line, being difficult to turn around corners. Because of this, you wouldn't want to choose one of these for the grocery store or shopping mall.
Written by a father of 3 1/2 year old twins who knows how hard it can be to stay active and flexible with a young family.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Umbrella Strollers - the Workhorse of Baby Strollers
Most parents of young children (like myself) have accepted the fact that you need to have different strollers for different activities and situations. But my wife and I have found that the one stroller we use most of the time is our umbrella stroller. We actually have a double umbrella stroller, which makes it easy to get around with our 3 1/2 year old twins. It is AWESOME!
The biggest advantage of umbrella strollers are how lightweight and portable they are. They don't take up much trunk space, and they will even fit on the floor in the backseat. I can carry it with one hand when it is folded up, which made it very convenient when we flew to Disney with the kids last spring. Here's a little tip, Dads: don't expect a 3 or 4 year old to walk around Disney! Trust me - they will end up on your shoulders for most of the day. Bring the umbrella stroller - your back will thank you!
The biggest disadvantage with them is the lack of storage space, but if you plan ahead a backpack can hold everything you need for the day. For quick trips around town, the umbrella stroller is definitely the way to go. The other advice I would give is that you definitely get what you pay for! You can get a flimsy umbrella stroller for $20 or $30, but spending a little more for a durable, well built model is well worth it. We have a double stroller from Peg Perego and we really love it!
The biggest advantage of umbrella strollers are how lightweight and portable they are. They don't take up much trunk space, and they will even fit on the floor in the backseat. I can carry it with one hand when it is folded up, which made it very convenient when we flew to Disney with the kids last spring. Here's a little tip, Dads: don't expect a 3 or 4 year old to walk around Disney! Trust me - they will end up on your shoulders for most of the day. Bring the umbrella stroller - your back will thank you!
The biggest disadvantage with them is the lack of storage space, but if you plan ahead a backpack can hold everything you need for the day. For quick trips around town, the umbrella stroller is definitely the way to go. The other advice I would give is that you definitely get what you pay for! You can get a flimsy umbrella stroller for $20 or $30, but spending a little more for a durable, well built model is well worth it. We have a double stroller from Peg Perego and we really love it!
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Info on Recent Baby Stroller Recalls
If you heard about some recent recalls on baby strollers, but weren't exactly sure if you needed to worry, I thought I would provide some info here.
Maclaren recently issued a voluntary recall for more than 1 million umbrella strollers after 12 reports of fingertip amputations in the stroller hinges. The models affected included the Volo Triumph, Quest Sport, Quest Mod, Tecno XT, Techno XLR, Twin Triumph, Twin Techno, and Easy Traveler. You xcan get more info at www.maclaren.us/recall.
There was also another recall in August involving Baby Jogger City Mini Strollers. Apparently, the stroller's restraint buckle is prone to breaking or becoming unlatched, allowing children or child to fall out. For additional info on the specific models involved, you can check out www.babyjogger.com.
This is a great reminder to all of us with young children that you can never be too careful. We owe it to our children to make sure we provide them a safe baby stroller.
Maclaren recently issued a voluntary recall for more than 1 million umbrella strollers after 12 reports of fingertip amputations in the stroller hinges. The models affected included the Volo Triumph, Quest Sport, Quest Mod, Tecno XT, Techno XLR, Twin Triumph, Twin Techno, and Easy Traveler. You xcan get more info at www.maclaren.us/recall.
There was also another recall in August involving Baby Jogger City Mini Strollers. Apparently, the stroller's restraint buckle is prone to breaking or becoming unlatched, allowing children or child to fall out. For additional info on the specific models involved, you can check out www.babyjogger.com.
This is a great reminder to all of us with young children that you can never be too careful. We owe it to our children to make sure we provide them a safe baby stroller.
A Baby Stroller for Every Purpose
If you have kids - specifically- if you have young kids -you know that having the right baby stroller for every situation is crucial. If you don't have children, then trust me...it's true!
I am the the father of 3 1/2 year old twins, and my wife and I learned this the hard way. Guys, listen to me very carefully. If your wife is pregnant, and you are just started to look at baby stroller options, you have to understand something very important. When it comes to strollers, they are definitely NOT "one size fits all"!
Expecting parents are often suprised to see how many types of strollers are available. I mean, lets be serious...do we really need more than just a standard stroller? Is it really necessary to have an umbrella stroller and a jogging stroller too? How much of my money do the stroller companies need?
The truth is, having children completely changes your life. You probably won't be going many places without your baby for a while. So if you want to go ANYWHERE, you have to be flexible. Taking the right (or wrong) stroller with you can make (or break) your "outings" as a family.
When you have an infant, a snap-n-go is a great thing. You can just pop the car seat out (with your baby still sleeping soundly) and transfer it to a stroller frame. For a quick trip to the grocery store, umbrella strollers are great. They are extremely compact and lightweight, but they don't have any cushioning, so you wouldn't want your child to sit in one for too long. Plus, there is no storage space for a diaper bag (or a cell phone, cup of coffe, etc.)
If you are planning to stroll the mall, a standard stroller is a better choice. Much more comfortable for the child, and most of them provide room to store your stuff. They are a little more bulky and harder to open up/fold down, it is worth the effort.
When my wife first mentioned getting a jogging stroller, I actually thought she was kidding. But if you spend any length of time ALONE with your children, this is a great way to get some excercise by going for a jog AND let your little one get some fresh air at the same time. And I can tell you, most babies LOVE the movement and subtle bouncing they get while you go jogging. Its a win-win!
Anyway, I could go on, but I think you get the picture. Fortunately, my kids can walk most places now, so my stroller days are almost behing me. Oh, wait a minute...I almost forgot. Just because your kids CAN walk doesn't mean they WILL walk! One last word of advise: If you have kids between 3 and 5, dont EVER take them to Disney World (or any amusement park) without bringing strollers. If you do, trust me, they will be on your shoulders or asking to be carried long before the park closes! So if you want to keep your back healthy, you better bring the right baby stroler.
I am the the father of 3 1/2 year old twins, and my wife and I learned this the hard way. Guys, listen to me very carefully. If your wife is pregnant, and you are just started to look at baby stroller options, you have to understand something very important. When it comes to strollers, they are definitely NOT "one size fits all"!
Expecting parents are often suprised to see how many types of strollers are available. I mean, lets be serious...do we really need more than just a standard stroller? Is it really necessary to have an umbrella stroller and a jogging stroller too? How much of my money do the stroller companies need?
The truth is, having children completely changes your life. You probably won't be going many places without your baby for a while. So if you want to go ANYWHERE, you have to be flexible. Taking the right (or wrong) stroller with you can make (or break) your "outings" as a family.
When you have an infant, a snap-n-go is a great thing. You can just pop the car seat out (with your baby still sleeping soundly) and transfer it to a stroller frame. For a quick trip to the grocery store, umbrella strollers are great. They are extremely compact and lightweight, but they don't have any cushioning, so you wouldn't want your child to sit in one for too long. Plus, there is no storage space for a diaper bag (or a cell phone, cup of coffe, etc.)
If you are planning to stroll the mall, a standard stroller is a better choice. Much more comfortable for the child, and most of them provide room to store your stuff. They are a little more bulky and harder to open up/fold down, it is worth the effort.
When my wife first mentioned getting a jogging stroller, I actually thought she was kidding. But if you spend any length of time ALONE with your children, this is a great way to get some excercise by going for a jog AND let your little one get some fresh air at the same time. And I can tell you, most babies LOVE the movement and subtle bouncing they get while you go jogging. Its a win-win!
Anyway, I could go on, but I think you get the picture. Fortunately, my kids can walk most places now, so my stroller days are almost behing me. Oh, wait a minute...I almost forgot. Just because your kids CAN walk doesn't mean they WILL walk! One last word of advise: If you have kids between 3 and 5, dont EVER take them to Disney World (or any amusement park) without bringing strollers. If you do, trust me, they will be on your shoulders or asking to be carried long before the park closes! So if you want to keep your back healthy, you better bring the right baby stroler.
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